Suzanne Askham

Wellbeing notes: how to thrive through arid times

It feels like ages since I last posted here. Let’s blame the hot, hot summer, which leads me to this month’s Wellbeing Note…

There’s a lawn outside the village that has stayed exceptionally green through our heatwave summer. It’s bordered by old woodland, and until recently was watered by a stream. The grass is allowed to grow taller here, although it is still occasionally mown, and the lawn is studded with a few small trees that give plenty of additional shade. 

There are powerful lessons here, both in how we look after a garden – and how we look after ourselves. This can be as simple as staying hydrated. It can also be about finding ways to feel uplifted, through those wellbeing practices that speak to us. I have one friend, for example, who consciously seeks out beauty, in the form of open gardens and art galleries. Another friend is part of a small, supportive group that meets up regularly for coffee and conversation. Looking after yourself can mean planting a tree, or helping the Woodland Trust. It can also mean sheltering yourself from things that could scorch you – anything from an excess of sun, to scare-mongering social media. 

On a metaphorical level, looking after ourselves can be about growing strong roots that are able to draw on deep sources of life-giving water. What are the spiritual beliefs that nourish you? ‘The universe has my back’ can be a surprisingly comforting mantra. Beliefs that are kind and supportive can make a world of difference to our ability to flourish.